Applicant Information Pack Housekeeping Manager
A foreword from our Principal and Chief People Officer
Berkhamsted has led the way in pursuing a ‘foundation structure’ As a group of six schools, it combines scale of resource with individual attention and development of pupils – and staff We start with our values: we aim for excellence – aiming high with integrity –in all that we do. We are ‘adventurous’, and support development, research, and experimentation in teaching and learning. We ‘ serve others’ – at both pupil and staff level: ours is a non-hierarchical school in which the opinions of all matter, and in which we all share in the support and contribution to our local community.
Above all, we are committed to developing remarkable people, both our pupils and our staff
We are looking for highly committed, ambitious and adventurous people to join a thriving staff body, whom we can support to flourish here, and whom we can help to grow. Our staff are so important that we have a Chief People Officer as one of our most senior members of staff
Our staff are our biggest asset at Berkhamsted, and so investing in not only their professional development but also their wellbeing, is a key priority. We foster a working environment that supports staff both professionally and personally We offer a wide range of staff wellbeing initiatives Colleagues can easily access financial, physical, emotional and social well-being support from school.
We seek to enable all members of the school community to achieve their full potential in an environment characterised by equality respect and opportunity. We work hard at Berkhamsted, but we also know how to come together as a community and enjoy downtime, building relationships which simply last a lifetime.
Richard Backhouse - Principal
Tracey Evans - Chief People Officer
xxxxxxxxx History of Berkhamsted Schools Group
Berkhamsted School is situated in the historic Hertfordshire town of Berkhamsted, a prosperous community surrounded by Chiltern countryside and within easy reach of London Berkhamsted is a leading Independent School for pupils aged 3 to 18 years, the foundation of which dates back to 1541 (when John Incent, the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, successfully applied to King Henry the VIII for a license to purchase a piece of land for a ‘freescole’).
In 1888 a Girls School was founded in Berkhamsted under the same governing body, and the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools merged to form a diamond school in 1997 The Prep School was also integrated at this stage, and the School became Berkhamsted Collegiate School.
In 2011 the School merged with Heatherton House, a small independent day School for girls in Chesham Bois, and became the Berkhamsted Schools Group. Operating as a satellite Prep School, Heatherton provides a feed of Girls to the Berkhamsted Girls School every year. In 2012 Berkhamsted Schools Group acquired Haresfoot, a small proprietary prep school in Berkhamsted. This site now houses the Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Berkhamsted Day Nursery Limited, and Berkhamsted Prep takes children from age 7-11.
Berkhamsted is the only School in the Herts, Beds and Bucks region, and one of only a small number of Schools in the country, to offer a ‘diamond’ structure that combines the best of both single-sex and coeducational teaching. Boys and Girls are taught together until the age of 11 (Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Prep), separately from the age of 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint sixth form (Berkhamsted Sixth).
Job Description
Responsible to: Head of Estates Services
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Hours of Work
Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
Full time, year round
Direct Reports: Cleaning Staff (circa 50+ staff)
Job Purpose:
To manage, lead, train and motivate the housekeeping and laundry teams and any associated external contracts
Ensuring that cleaning provision across the school estate is consistent, appropriate and of a high standard including for school events and outside lets.
Support the Head of Estates Service in carrying out a strategic operational review of the housekeeping service; make ongoing recommendations for operational efficiencies and improving the cost effectiveness of the department
Job Description
Areas of Responsibility
Housekeeping - duties to include but not limited to:
Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
Maintain a high standard of cleaning in all school areas. Continuity and maintenance of required cleaning standards including during staff absences, planned and ad-hoc, boarding accommodation, external lets and for school functions.
Assess requirements, approve, and organise deep clean during the school holidays. Purchase cleaning materials from approved suppliers to deliver best value for money and in accordance with school environmental and sustainability standards.
Maintain appropriate stock of cleaning supplies across all school sites to meet the needs of the school
Operational control of the housekeeping budget
Establish a good working relationship with colleagues across the group to meet site and event specific cleaning needs.
Work closely with the estates team and report any work that requires attention.
Arrange employment of new staff in conjunction with the schools HR department and in accordance with school recruitment process
Manage, train, and ensure operational management of all reporting staff including supervisors in order that they can effectively carry out their duties
Carry out regular checks on staff performance, record, and take any necessary measures including providing additional training and performance management.
Ensure adherence to Health & Safety standards including training on manual handling and COSHH and producing risk assessments and method statements.
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Job Description
Laundry: duties to include but not limited to:
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Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
Manage the school laundry to ensure smooth day-to-day operation and in accordance with SLA. Ensure that the laundry meets the needs of internal clients including staff and pupils in boarding accommodation.
Ensure that laundry operations are compliant with any relevant legislation.
Environment
Support the school’s sustainability and environmental objectives including waste management and ensuring effective use of resources.
Measure the environmental impact of housekeeping services and take appropriate measures to mitigate
Review the department use of materials and resources, switching to more environmentally options where practical
Other areas: duties to include but not limited to
Managing first aid equipment with the school nursing team, ensuring that the correct supplies are available including for sports, school events and activities and first aid kits across the group, Purchase and maintain stocks of uniform and PPE for the wider Estates Group
Managing internal school post arrangements across the group
Any other reasonable duties as requested by the Head of Estates Services
Job Description
Skills and Experience
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Proven track record of service delivery in a client focused multi-site environment.
Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
Experienced in managing, developing and motiving teams and individuals, ideally with variable shifts.
Practical experience in managing COSHH regulations, risk assessments and method statements. Ability to communicate effectively at all levels within the school.
Calm organised and methodical approach to service delivery
Flexible and results driven with a hands-on approach and the ability to get things done
Computer literate
Full clean driving Licence
BenefitsBenefits
We boast a competitive salary structure, alongside other benefits, which includes access to a comprehensive pension scheme
The wellbeing of our staff is a priority. We have a developed programme for staff with initiatives and support in the areas of Economic, Physical, Emotional and Social wellbeing.
Free classes and advisory services. memberships and discounted rates in local establishments, together with cycle to work scheme, free on-site parking, free daily lunch, and fee reduction for staff's children are examples of some of the non-contractual benefits on offer in this programme.
Watch
Watch our video and hear from our colleagues why they enjoy working at the Berkhamsted Schools Group. Find out more about what it is really like to be a member of the community.
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Benefits
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Berkhamsted is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding
A copy of the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be found HERE
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding. Berkhamsted Schools Group is a registered charity dedicated to education: 310630
Application and Next Steps
The closing date for applications is 27 August 2023
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It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children; applicants must be willing to undertake a number of safeguarding checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) This post is also subject to receipt of written references which must be satisfactory to Berkhamsted Schools Group along with documentary evidence of qualifications.
Successful applicants will need to provide confirmation of permission to work in the UK Please note that under the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, the school has an obligation to ensure applicants have the right to work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. (If it is found that those documents do not meet the legal requirement, an offer of employment will be withdrawn).
Where the successful candidate has worked or been a resident overseas in the previous five years, such checks and confirmations as the school may require in accordance with statutory guidance.
We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race.
Candidates with a disability who are invited to interview should inform the School of any necessary reasonable adjustments or arrangements to assist them in attending the interview.
If you have any questions relating to this role please contact the HR department at recruitment@berkhamsted.com
Early applications are encouraged, and interviews may take place on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to extend or close the deadline.
